Page 49 of Always Meant To Be

Kneeling before her, the only person I have ever kneeled for, I hold the dress open. She steps into it before I slowly glide it up her body, her arms going into the straps. Smiling, I gently turn her in my arms and glide the zipper up, holding her hair to the side before kissing her neck lightly.

"I miss you, El…" I whisper against her skin.

"I just need time, Rome…" she replies, and I nod, knowing this already.

She admits, "I've stopped looking for apartments."

Everything in me relaxes, and I wrap my arms around her waist, cupping her bump from behind, holding her tight.

"Thank you,farfalla…." I choke, trying to hold in the emotions wanting to come out knowing one fight is done with….

She's quiet for a few minutes, allowing me to hold her before she mutters, "I don't want to go…."

I sigh, pressing my lips to her neck and whisper, "I know, baby, but you haven't seen your parents since you were shot."

She scoffs, "Thanks for that little reminder, Rome."

I snort. "Sorry, baby, but it's true. Let's just get it over with, and if you want to leave after thirty minutes, then we'll leave."

She sighs but nods, walking out of my hold and instantly I miss her heat, but I don't pull her back, instead I put my hands in my pockets and watch as she grabs her choker, putting it on, making me smile, grateful she never threw it away.

She grabs the necklace her mamma gave her, puts it on next, and then walks to the closet. She disappears for a few seconds before coming out with white-heeled pumps.

I smile wide. "You look perfect."

She blushes, which shows well on her makeup-free face; she’s only wearing a little mascara.

Fuck, how did I get so lucky?

I hold my hand out to her, and hold my breath. She looks at it hesitantly, her eyes on my wedding ring, before she walks over.

I sigh in disappointment when she doesn't take my hand, knowing that seeing her family would take us ten fucking steps back, but I soon suck in a breath when she wraps her arm around my waist.

My left arm instantly goes over her shoulder, holding her close to me as my lips touch the top of her head.

"Thank you,farfalla," I rasp, and guide her to the door. She doesn't say anything back, only buries herself deeper into my side.

This woman continues to fucking surprise me.

It takes us nearly an hour in New York traffic to get to our family restaurant. Mikhail believes El will be more comfortable there.

"We are not naming our child Romeo Junior," El says as we pull up in front of the restaurant, and I chuckle. "Farfalla, if Leonardo has his way, we'd be naming our child after him."

She chuckles, not showing distain at hearing his name, making me smile a little as the door opens. She sighs. "Let's get this over with…."

I nod, grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze. She looks at me, and I rasp, "Isabella, for a girl. It’s my mamma's middle name."

Her eyes tear up again, and she nods, making me smile as I climb out first, buttoning my suit jacket up as my name is shouted by the press, who were most likely called by Liliya. I hold my hand out for my wife, who takes it instantly.

Flashes from cameras start to go crazy as my wife climbs out, her bump in view.

"Mrs. Russo, is it true you are pregnant?" one asks, the others following suit, but we ignore them as I wrap my arm around her shoulders, keeping her close, and not even letting her go when we enter the restaurant.

I guide her to the back of the room where her family awaits.

Mikhail spots us first as he booms, "Well, it's about time you two got here!" causing everyone to look our way.

I snort. "We would have been here sooner, but someone is stubborn and doesn't like to spendourmoney on new clothes."